Open Place: Support Service for Victoria's Forgotten Australians (2010 - )

Open Place: Support Service for Victoria's Forgotten Australians provides former 'care' leavers (people who grew up in institutions or foster care in Victoria until 1989) and their immediate family members with personal support, help with records and family searches, counselling, social activities, reunions, support groups, opportunities to learn new skills, as well as assistance with other specific needs. This service is run jointly by Berry Street and Relationships Australia.

Brokerage counselling: Forgotten Australians who were in 'care' in Victoria can have counselling arranged in their local area, and attend at no cost. Arrangements will continue for people who are currently seeing a counsellor.

Counselling for family members: Immediate family members of Forgotten Australians (children, partners, siblings) can have counselling arranged in their local area, and attend at no cost.
Social & Support Groups

Life Skills Program: Financial assistance for Forgotten Australians to attend a course or class to develop or improve skills. We may also be able to run some small courses through Open Place if people have common interests.

Health: Financial assistance for Forgotten Australians to access dental, specialist medical, optical and other health services will be available.

Access to Records: Assistance will be provided to help Forgotten Australians access records from their time in care.

Support to find Family: Assistance will be provided to help Forgotten Australians trace family members and support to meet them for the first time.

Personal Support & Referral and Support to access other services: Support will vary depending on what Forgotten Australians need, including referrals to other services, help with reading materials and filling in forms, advocacy, going to appointments and meetings.